I backpacked in western europe a few years ago but this time we are staying in hotels and not roughing it so much.

I can't decide whether to wear my wedding rings or not?

any thoughts? We are spending two weeks traveling southern poland.

TIA!

When I travel out of the country, I leave my engagement ring at home and trade my gold Ebel watch for a Swatch. My goal is to look totally uninteresting to customs agents and prospective thieves.

My everyday jewellery is simple gold hoop earrings, a diamond and amethyst engagement ring and a simple gold wedding ring. I wore all on my honeymoon last year in Spain and Portugal and had absolutely no problems. There's no way a thief could just slip my rings off because they are pretty secure on my finger. I'd have to be knocked out to not notice anyone trying to take it off!

I wouldn't hesitate for a second if it were me.

Unless your wedding ring is the Hope diamond I wouldn't worry. Every married woman in europe is wearing her rings - and there are no reports of them being stolen off people's fingers in mass quantities.

On the other hand - if you have a habit of taking it off and temporarily misplacing it - definitely leave it home.

Hello tango, there have been many threads about this subject in the pass.

When I travel, no matter where I am going to, I take a minimum amount of jewelery. But I do wear small gold earrings and take diamond studs which I keep in the zippered section of my handbag.

I wear my Concorde watch. I wear my engagement and wedding ring. I wear one other ring and take an evening ring, again I put it where I keep the diamond studs.

I might take one necklace, depending on what clothes I am taking.

When in hotel rooms when I take off any jewelery I automatically put it in the zippered pocket of my handbag. I never ever lay any jewelry down on a nightstand, dresser or bathroom counter.

I have never had a problem..not sense I had jewelry stolen from our stateroom when we were on a cruise. My own stupidity..I left the pieces on the dresser. A lesson well learned!

I have always left my wedding ring at home since it has diamonds and is noticeable. I bought a plain gold wedding band which I wear on trips now. I trade my better watch for a less expensive watch also. But I always leave my diamond studs in. They never leave my ears.

I figure better safe than sorry. And why draw attention to yourself? Subways, for example, can be intimidating enough without having to worry about jewelry.

If I had "previewed my reply" I would have have said "not since"..obviously I didn't display any sense when I left some diamond jewelry laying about in the stateroom.

If one is worried about their wedding/engagement ring leaving them at home and just wearing a gold wedding band is a good idea.

I would hate to lose my wedding ring!

Why don't you buy a cheap substitute just for travels?

Hi T,

> can't decide whether to wear my wedding rings or not?

Ask your husbandS.

In general, wedding rings are not a target for thieves. Too hard to snatch.

However, if you take them off during the day or night, you might want to leavethem at home, and just wear costume jewelry to show you are married.

Hi tango, I wear my wedding band only and switch out my daily watch for a Casio water proof one that also has an alarm clock, etc. DH's watch is more complicated--it looks like he could launch a rocket with that thing! ;-)

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

I don't expect anyone to cut my finger off but I don't want to stand out as a complete tourist either

nytraveler...good point! people in europe wear them too, LOL!!!

thanks again!

<< I can't decide whether to wear my wedding rings or not? >>

Look this is the 21st century, if you want to have a holiday romance you don't have to pretend to be single

Hey... hey... what is this? The recorded rates of opportunistic theft and muggings in streets in Europe are almost everywhere lower than in US cities. Why leave the wedding rings at home, if you would gladly wear them on a weekend away in NYC? This is quite ludicrous.

I wear my wedding ring -it's very simple and I hate to be without it.

I don't know why a wedding ring would make you look like a tourist (plenty of other things might). As mentioned, people in Europe certainly wear them.

Do you take your ring on & off? That would be my fear, losing it myself in unfamiliar surroundings, not any worry about having it stolen.

I'd wear my wedding rings and take along a couple of pair of earrings. But I would leave my pearls at home. They require too much care to just tuck away in my purse, even though they are a great accessory to have in the evening.

It would seem that if you are raising this question, that would indicate that you have concerns. This is a normal reaction when staying in unfamiliar surroundings, which is why the argument of wearing jewelry at home doesn’t signify. If you have any doubts, leave your valuables at home. It’s just that simple.

My sister left a topaz necklace at an airport metal detector… not the end of the world, but unfortunate, none the less.

DH says, “Leave the jewelry at home and buy amber and garnets, instead!” They are plentiful and reasonable in Poland / Czech Republic.

thanks trophywife! that is why I was asking is because I will be in strange surroundings. I questioned it when we went on our HM as well but all was fine.

You guys make me laugh with some of these posts...

alanrow....."Look this is the 21st century, if you want to have a holiday romance you don't have to pretend to be single" ----LMAO I am going with my HUSBAND, hard pretending to be single!

Geez....some posters are SO serious, relax a little. I was simply asking a questions. True online forums do leave room for the flaming and I must say, it gives me a good laugh for the day. I hope you serious posters are more relaxed when you travel!

It would be very expensive to replace a 2 carat platinum diamond ring but I guess insurance wouldl cover if someone were to cut off my finger and steal it =O